Cam column clamp



Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

UNiTEDsTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. NEWTON, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOSEBASTIAN PATTI, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

CAM COLUMN CLAMP.

Application filed etober 18, 1926. Serial No. 142,418.

This invention relates to cam operated form clamps for use in theconstruction of concrete columns and the like, and has for one of itsobjects to produce a cam clamp ior co-operation with rectangular'forinbars, in which the cam preferably is formed with a smooth face andwill therefore give in' definite service and will operate to impress abar to be clamped against a set of removable teeth co-operating withsaid cam lug.

A further object is to produce' a strong, efficient, durable, andinexpensive cam column clamp, and in order that it may be fullyunderstood, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in whichFigure 1 is a section taken through a con crete form equipped withclamps embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of one .of the cam clamps to illustratethe removable toothed lug carried by one end of each of the clamp bars.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section on the line IV--IV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section on the line V-V of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an inverted plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure 5.

In the said drawing where like reference characters identifycorresponding parts in all of the figures, the form clamps of theinvention comprise a series of four rectangular bars 1 of any desiredlength in excess of the width of the form, and secured to -the oppositefaces of one of the ends of each bar is a pair of extensions 2 to form abifurcated portion for the reception of the straight end of an adjacentbar, as will hereinafter appear.. Received between the extensions 2adiacent the end of the bar .1 and held in position by a rivet 3, is alug 4 formed on its opposite faces with suitably hardened teeth 5, for apurpose which will hereinafter appear, and mounted in the free ends ofthe extensions 2is a pivot pin 6, on which is rotatably mounted betweensaid extensions 2, a lever 7 formed with a cam face 8.

The operation of the clamp bars of the invention for the locking of aconcrete co1- umn form, is, as follows: The clamp bars are assembledaround the form as shown in Figure l and as common in the arttheoperalor will then clamp the bars successively against the form, by theuse of any suitable mechanism, such as that illustrated, which comprlsesa relatively Ushaped member `9 placed on the projecting straight end `ofone of the clamp bars and :formed with a series of internal teeth 10 forfrictional engagement with the inner edge of said bar, the U-shapedmember 9 carrying at its opposite end from said teeth 10 a clamp lever1.1 formed at its pivoted end with a cam tace 12 for pressing againstthe extensioncquippcd end of the bar it is desired to adjust or clampagainst the form. It will be apparent that by pressing downwardly on thelever 11 arranged as illustrated in Figure 5, its cam face 12 will pressagainst the extension portion 2 and will tend to press the crossed bars1 in opposite directions, as shown in Figure 1. As soon as the desiredclamping pressure has been exerted at one corner, the operator will lockthe bars at such corner in position by striking the lever 7 and thuscausing its cam 8 to push the side` wise abutting bar 1 until the teeth5 are strongly engaged with said clamp bar to prevent any possibility ofrelative slipping movement of the parts. The operator will then proceedto tighten the other corners of the form in a similar manner.

It will be evident that the concrete form clamps can be readily andeasily unlocked by placing the claws of a hammer or the like under theprojecting ends of the cam lever 7 and pressing upwardly. If there isany tendency of the teeth 5 to jam or stick to the engaged end of one ofthe bars 1, it will be apparent that this tendency can be readilyovercome and the bars loosened by tapping gently against the engagedends of such wedged or locked bar 1 so that it may be withdrawn fromengagement with said teeth 5. It will also be evident that if the teeth5 on either face of the lug 4 become worn to such a degree as to fail inpositively locking the clamp bars, the unworn face may be readilydisposed in position for operative engagement by knocking out the rivet3 and reversing the position of said lug 4.

From the above description, it will be evident that while I havedescribed and illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, itis to be understood that I reserve the right to make all changes whichproperly fall Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim: K

1. In a concrete column clamp. a Hat bar, a. pair of flat bars fitting`against opposite Sides of the first-named bar and projecting beyond oneend of the same to provide a fork therefor, a lug seeured in the forkand against the extremity of the lirst-named bar sofasl to be incapableof turning or accidental dislodgment, and provided on its outer edgewitha series of vertical teeth facing toward the open end of the fork.and a pivoted cam clamp spaced from the lug and mounted in the fork, to.clamp an object extending crosswise through the fork, inwardly againstthe outWardly-faeing teeth of Said lug.

2. A concrete column clamp, comprisingY a Series of bars arranged toforni a rectangle, each bar having one end forked and receiving theunforked end of an adjacent bar. each bar also having vertical teeth atthe base of its fork in parallel relation with and inward of the barextendingr through the fork. and cam clamps mounted in the extremitiesof the forks and adjustable to eugage the outer edges of the harsrespectively extending through the forks to clamp the inner edges ofSaid bars against the teeth of said forked bars respectively.

In Witness whereof I hereunto atlix nrv signature.

GEORGE F. NEVTON.

